Real Salt Lake vs Chivas USA Preview

First of all, thanks to all the fans that voted for the opening game against the Fire. Currently, I had 970 total votes casted from 75 unique voters.

However, next up will be a tough battle at the Home Depot Center against Chivas. Chivas just came a off a 1-1 battle against FC Dallas. Galindo scored in the 84th minute to tie up the score, after Toja had scored on a well built-up goal earlier in the game. Former RSL'er Atiba Harris made a start for the Goats, and got a couple shots off and made several fouls in his 55 minutes on the pitch. Other former RSL'er Alecko Eskandarian was OUT with a groin strain and doesn't sound to be available for the RSL game, either.

Chivas has dominated RSL at the HDC throughout our expansion-team rivalry (LLLTLL), with 3 of the losses by a margin of 3 goals or more. And last year, all three meeting resulted in 0 points for RSL. RSL's revamped roster, that showed great possession at home against the Fire, will hopefully be able to possess the ball against a solid possession team in Chivas. I expect Chivas to have a slight advantage in possession, because of it being at the HDC. But, what I fear most will be the amount of dangerous opportunities. I feel Real Salt Lake is lacking in creativity in the final third, whereas Chivas has several productive and skilled players in attack. I believe this is where the downfall of this game will be. One last stat from Chivas's game against FC Dallas, Chivas had 22 shots (18 in the 2nd half) with 8 on goal. We cannot allow to give them that many looks at goal, or else I don't think we will get the same result as FC Dallas.

My predicition is a 2 - 1 victory for Chivas. If Razov plays (listed as probable as of April 1st), I expect him to net one with a great left-footed shot. And I think Galindo will find a crease in the defense and exploit it with a goal. Our goal will come from the work of Deuchar flicking on to Findley.

Expected Lineup:

------------Rimando-----------
-Wingert---Mantilla-Borchers---Joy-
-------------Talley------------
-----Williams-------Beckerman---
------------Morales------------
------Deuchar----Espindola------

I think Deuchar will get a start, but even though the love was shown for Kovalenko here with a performance over 8. I believe he will still be on the bench. Movsisyan will be sitting, because I think Espindola will compliment Deuchar better with his service and ball skills.

Let me know your thoughts below about why would Kovalenko not start, or rip on me for not having confidence in RSL getting a result.